The supernova remnant RX J0852.0-4622: radio characteristics and implications for SNR statistics

We present new radio observations of the recently identified, young Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) RX J0852.0-4622 (G266.2-01.2) made at 1.40 GHz with a resolution of 14.9 arcmin. These results, along with other radio observations from the literature, are used to derive the extent, morphology and radio spectrum of the remnant. The possible age and distance to this remnant are discussed, along with the consequences of its properties - especially its low radio surface brightness - for statistical studies of Galactic SNRs. The extended features identified by Combi et al. (1999) are considered, and we conclude that these are probably unrelated to the new remnant. If RX J0852.0-4622 is nearby, as is suggested by the available gamma-ray data, then the range of intrinsic radio luminosities for SNRs of the same diameter may be much larger than was previously thought.